In the second of a series of articles highlighting CardioVisual’s valuable partners, we introduce you to the Alliance for Aging Research. 

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Alliance for Aging Research is a nonprofit organization that advances innovation that supports the health care needs of older Americans and their caregivers through targeted public policy advocacy and educational initiatives.

An important component of the Alliance’s activities is the dissemination of educational materials on diseases and conditions that disproportionately impact older adults — including cardiovascular issues. Many of the informative and well-executed videos produced by AAR are included in the CardioVisual app, clearly explaining conditions such as aortic stenosis, stroke and venous thromboembolism.

Cardiovascular disease is among the top health concerns faced by older Americans, according to the American Heart Association, which reports that an estimated 42.2 million people over the age of 60 have cardiovascular disease. For the 60–79-year-old age group, more than 70% have cardiovascular disease, according to the AHA.

The Alliance distributes videos and other educational materials on topics such as drug safety to educate older adults, their caregivers and the medical community to ensure that the special needs of older patients are taken into account when medical decisions are made.

The Alliance also provides a valued advocacy role as a respected and influential voice with policymakers in Washington, D.C. and beyond. The group works to affect policy change in areas such as aging research funding, FDA funding, and improving health care for older Americans. The Alliance holds congressional briefings to increase awareness of diseases and conditions such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, oral care and diabetes, and also participated in the White House Conference on Aging, helping Congress and the President adopt resolutions that make aging research a national priority.

“We strive to be the primary voice in support of access to innovation for older adults. We believe that older adult patients’ treatment needs may be unique, but they are as important as anyone else’s treatment needs no matter what age,” says Alliance President and CEO Susan Peschin, MHS. “Everyone should have access to opportunities to enhance their health to the greatest extent at every stage of life.”

In September, the group launched an educational campaign highlighting the dangers of AFib-related strokes. “Celebrating A Year Without Stroke” underscores the seriousness of atrial fibrillation-related strokes and “encourages patients to understand their risk, ask questions, and continue taking medication as prescribed,” according to the initiative’s website.

Also in September, the group celebrated its 30th anniversary at its Annual Bipartisan Congressional Awards Dinner, where it celebrated not only its longevity but also the important contributions to the health and advocacy of the aging by several luminaries — Sen. Bill Cassidy, Rep. Maxine Waters, Dr. Laura Carstensen, and Dr. Robert Temple.

The Alliance works with a number of other groups to advocate for seniors, including Million Hearts, Stopafib.org, and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

An important voice for older Americans, the group says they “seek advances that will vastly improve the universal human experience of aging and health.”